BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres have acquired defenceman Josh Gorges in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens.

In exchange, the Sabres gave up a second-round pick in the 2016 draft in a deal made Tuesday shortly after the start of the NHL's free-agency period.

Gorges is a nine-year NHL veteran, who spent the past seven-plus seasons in Montreal. He's a dependable blue liner, whom the Sabres targeted to help groom their young crop of defenceman.

He had a goal and 13 assists in 66 games last season, and has 14 goals and 84 assists in 560 games.

The Canadiens had been believed to be looking for a landing spot for Gorges and appeared to have a deal in place with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Gorges - whose contract includes a no-trade clause - would not approve a move to one of the team's longest-standing rivals.